Lahore leads the list of the world’s most polluted cities, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) hits the very unhealthy level of 247.
The prolonged dryness and stable atmospheric conditions are causing a gradual accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere.
No relief is in sight as cold and dry weather is expected during the ongoing week. Medical experts have advised limited outdoor activities and extra care for children, the elderly and vulnerable people like asthma patients.
According to the data collected from the IQAir website on Tuesday at 07:10 pm, Vietnam’s Hanoi is at the second spot with an AQI of 201 (very unhealthy), followed by Bangladesh’s Dhaka with an AQI of 183 (unhealthy).
China’s Wuhan ranked fourth with an AQI of 182 (unhealthy), closely followed by Chongqing (China) with an AQI of 181 (unhealthy).
Kolkata (India) ranked sixth with an AQI of 173 (unhealthy), closely followed by Chengdu (China) with an AQI of 169 (unhealthy).
Delhi (India) ranked eighth with an AQI of 168 (unhealthy), closely followed by Kuwait City (Kuwait) with an AQI of 167 (unhealthy). Karachi (Pakistan) ranked tenth with an AQI of 160 (unhealthy).
AQI of the top two cities is very unhealthy, while that of the third to 12th cities is unhealthy.
Less rainfall, higher temperatures likely in Pakistan during December 2025
